Graphic and Web Designers, and Illustrators
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Graphic and Web Designers, and Illustrators design information for visual and audio communication, publication and display using print, film, electronic, digital and other forms of visual and audio media.
Tasks
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determining the objectives and constraints of the design brief by consulting with clients and stakeholders
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undertaking research and analysing functional communication requirements
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formulating design concepts for the subject to be communicated
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preparing sketches, diagrams, illustrations and layouts to communicate design concepts
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negotiating design solutions with clients, management, sales and production staff
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selecting, specifying or recommending functional and aesthetic materials and media for publication, delivery or display
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detailing and documenting the selected design for production
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supervising or carrying out production in the chosen media
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may archive information for future client use
Characteristics
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University
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Vocational Education and Training (VET)
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Practical
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Creative
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Enterprising
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Sedentary
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Light
Outlook
JSA produces employment projections to show where likely future job opportunities may be. The latest data are for the five years from November 2021 to November 2026. Over this period, the number of workers:
- is expected to grow very strongly
- is likely to reach 78,100 by 2026.
Source: Jobs and Skills Australia Employment Projections to 2026.
Notes: The number employed includes people who work in this occupation as their main job. People who work in more than one job are counted against the occupation they work the most hours in.
Employment projections figures are rounded to the nearest 100. Calculations based on these rounded figures may result in differences to the numbers that are displayed on this page. Employment projections data (including occupations) can be downloaded from the Employment Projections page.
Number of Workers
Year | Employment |
---|---|
2011 | 49,000 |
2012 | 53,800 |
2013 | 56,500 |
2014 | 50,500 |
2015 | 47,700 |
2016 | 56,000 |
2017 | 60,400 |
2018 | 62,200 |
2019 | 59,500 |
2020 | 59,400 |
2021 | 64,100 |
2026 | 78,100 |
Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, ABS seasonally adjusted data to November 2021 and Jobs and Skills Australia Employment Projections to 2026.
Earnings and hours
Working arrangements
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Around 70% of people employed as Graphic and Web Designers, and Illustrators work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 4 percentage points above the all jobs average (66%).
Full-time workers work an average of 43 hours per week in their main job. This is similar to the all jobs average (44 hours per week).
Median full-time earnings are $1,502 per week, this is lower than the all jobs median ($1,593):
- 3 in 4 workers earn more than $1,216
- 1 in 4 earn more than $2,025
Median hourly earnings are $41, this is the same as the all jobs median ($41 per hour).
Sources: Full-time share and full-time hours: ABS, 2016 Census, customised report. Compared to the all jobs average. Full-time median earnings and median hourly earnings: ABS, Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2021. Compared to all jobs median.
Weekly Earnings (Before Tax)
Earnings | Graphic and Web Designers, and Illustrators | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Full-Time Earnings | 1,502 | 1,593 |
Total Earnings | 0 | 0 |
Source: Based on ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2021, Customised Report. Median weekly total cash earnings for full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate. Earnings are before tax and include amounts salary sacrificed. Earnings can vary greatly depending on the skills and experience of the worker and the demands of the role. These figures should be used as a guide only, not to determine a wage rate.
Industries
Main industries
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Most Graphic and Web Designers, and Illustrators work in the Professional, scientific and technical services industry. They are also employed in industries like:
Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, annual average 2021.
Regions
Employment across Australia
NSW
VIC
QLD
SA
WA
TAS
NT
ACT
Employment by State and Territory (% Share)
State | Graphic and Web Designers, and Illustrators | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 37.6 | 31.6 |
VIC | 31.4 | 25.6 |
QLD | 15.8 | 20.0 |
SA | 5.2 | 7.0 |
WA | 6.7 | 10.8 |
TAS | 1.2 | 2.0 |
NT | 0.3 | 1.0 |
ACT | 1.8 | 1.9 |
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Around 78% of Graphic and Web Designers, and Illustrators live in capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 62%.
New South Wales and Victoria have a large share of employment relative to their population size.
The region with the largest share of workers is Melbourne - Inner.
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Share of workers across Australian states, territories and regions, in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Worker profile
Age and gender
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The median age of Graphic and Web Designers, and Illustrators is 35 years. This is younger than the all jobs average of 40 years.
A large share of workers are aged 25 to 34 years.
Females make up 51% of the workforce. This is 3 percentage points above the all jobs average of 48%.
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile and gender share compared to the all jobs average.
Age Profile (% Share)
Age Bracket | Graphic and Web Designers, and Illustrators | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 0.9 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 9.4 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 38.1 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 30.0 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 15.0 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 3.5 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 1.9 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 1.3 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 35 | 40 |
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile of workers in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Employment Pathways
Education, training and experience
A bachelor degree or a diploma in graphic design, graphic arts, web design, communications and media studies or another related field is usually needed to work as a Graphic or Web Designer, or Illustrator.
Visit
- Course Seeker to search and compare higher education courses.
- ComparED to compare undergraduate and postgraduate student experiences and outcomes.
- My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
- AAPathways website to explore Information and Communications Technology VET training pathways and Printing & Graphic Arts VET training pathways.
Highest Level of Education (% Share)
Type of Qualification | Graphic and Web Designers, and Illustrators | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 8.2 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 45.8 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 24.3 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 8.6 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 10.0 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 1.2 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 1.9 | 12.5 |
Source: ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Highest qualification completed by workers in this job (in any field of study). Qualifications needed by new workers might be different from the qualifications of workers already in the job.
Skills and Knowledge
Employers look for Graphic and Web Designers, and Illustrators who have good interpersonal skills, work well in a team and are creative and innovative. Employers also value computer literacy.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
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54%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
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52%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
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50%
SpeakingTalking to others.
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48%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
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45%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
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45%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
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45%
Operations analysisUnderstanding needs and product requirements to create a design.
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45%
WritingWriting things for co-workers or customers.
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43%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
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43%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
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43%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
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43%
PersuasionTalking people into changing their minds or their behaviour.
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43%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
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41%
NegotiationBringing people together and trying to sort out their differences.
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41%
Serving othersLooking for ways to help people.
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41%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
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41%
InstructingTeaching people how to do something.
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39%
Learning strategiesFiguring out the best way to teach or learn something new.
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39%
Systems evaluationMeasuring how well a system is working and how to improve it.
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37%
Systems analysisFiguring out how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect it.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
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73%
Technical designDesign techniques, tools, and principles used to make detailed technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
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70%
Communications and mediaMedia production, communication, and dissemination. Includes written, spoken, and visual media.
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70%
Fine artsCompose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.
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69%
Computers and electronicsCircuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
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69%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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63%
Sales and marketingShowing, promoting, and selling including marketing strategy, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
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60%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
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59%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
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47%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
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45%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
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43%
Sociology and anthropologyGroup behaviour and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins.
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38%
Production and processingRaw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
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37%
PsychologyHuman behaviour; differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; research methods; assessing and treating disorders.
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37%
GeographyDescribing land, sea, and air, including their physical characteristics, locations, how they work together, and the location of plant, animal, and human life.
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36%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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34%
Engineering and technologyUse engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.
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30%
Economics and accountingEconomics and accounting, the financial markets, banking and checking and reporting of financial data.
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27%
Personnel and human resourcesRecruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
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27%
Philosophy and theologyPhilosophical systems and religions, including their basic principles, values, ethics, ways of thinking, customs, practices, and impact on society.
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23%
TelecommunicationsTransmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
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57%
BrainstormingCome up with a number of ideas about a topic, even if the ideas aren't very good.
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57%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
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55%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
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55%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
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55%
OriginalityCome up with unusual or clever ideas, or creative ways to solve a problem.
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52%
VisualizationImagine how something will look after it is moved around or changed.
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50%
Colour discriminationNotice differences between colours, including shades of colour and brightness.
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50%
Written expressionWrite in a way that people can understand.
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48%
Written comprehensionRead and understand written information.
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48%
Sorting or orderingOrder or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
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46%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
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46%
Speech recognitionIdentify and understand the speech of another person.
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45%
CategorisingCome up with different ways of grouping things.
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45%
Inductive reasoningUse lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.
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45%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
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43%
Speech claritySpeak clearly so others can understand you.
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41%
Far visionSee details that are far away.
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41%
Selective attentionPay attention to something without being distracted.
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39%
Finger dexterityPut together small parts with your fingers.
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36%
Arm-hand steadinessKeep your hand or arm steady.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
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84%
Thinking creativelyUsing your own ideas for developing, designing, or creating something new.
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79%
Keeping your knowledge up-to-dateKeeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
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71%
Building good relationshipsBuilding good working relationships and keeping them over time.
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69%
Planning and prioritising workDeciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
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68%
Communicating with the publicGiving information to the public, business or government by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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66%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
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66%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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60%
Influencing peopleConvincing people to buy something or to change their minds or actions.
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60%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
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57%
Working with computersUsing computers to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
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55%
Explaining things to peopleHelping people to understand and use information.
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55%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
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51%
Monitoring people, processes and thingsChecking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
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51%
Collecting and organising informationCompiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or checking information or data.
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49%
Providing office supportDoing day-to-day office work such as filing and processing paperwork.
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48%
Making sense of information and ideasLooking at, working with, and understanding data or information.
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48%
Scheduling work and activitiesWorking out the timing of events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
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47%
Assessing and evaluating thingsWorking out the value, importance, or quality of things, services or people.
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47%
Coming up with systems and processesDeciding on goals and figuring out what you need to do to achieve them.
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41%
Estimating amounts, costs and resourcesWorking out sizes, distances, amounts, time, costs, resources, or materials needed for a task.
Interests and demands
Learn about the daily activities, and physical and social demands faced by workers. Explore the values and work styles that workers rate as most important.
Interests
Interests are the style or type of work we prefer to do. All interest areas are shown below.
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100%
CreativeWorking with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
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62%
EnterprisingStarting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.
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62%
PracticalPractical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
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33%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
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29%
HelpingWorking with people. Helping or providing service to others.
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24%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
Values
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81%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
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76%
IndependenceWork alone and make decisions. Workers are able to try out their own ideas, make decisions on their own, and work with little or no supervision.
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67%
RecognitionAdvancement and the potential to lead. Workers are recognised for the work that they do, they may give directions and instructions to others, and they are looked up to in their company and their community.
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64%
Working conditionsJob security and good working conditions. There is usually a steady flow of interesting work, and the pay and conditions are generally good.
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57%
RelationshipsServe and work with others. Workers usually get along well with each other, do things to help other people, and are rarely pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong.
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57%
SupportSupportive management that stands behind employees. Workers are treated fairly by their company, they are supported by management, and have supervisors who train them well.
Demands
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100%
Electronic mailUse electronic mail.
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98%
Spend time sittingSpend time sitting at work.
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92%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
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92%
TelephoneTalk on the telephone.
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91%
Time pressureWork to strict deadlines.
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88%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
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84%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
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83%
Indoors, heat controlledWork indoors with access to heating or cooling.
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82%
Unstructured workHave freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
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81%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
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79%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
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78%
CompetitionCompete with others, or be aware of competitive pressures.
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78%
Using your hands to handle, control, or feelSpend time using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls.
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75%
Making repetitive motionsSpend time making repetitive motions.
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68%
Repeating same tasksRepeat the same tasks or activities (e.g., key entry) over and over, without stopping.
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67%
Frequent decision makingFrequently make decisions that impact other people.
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65%
Impact of decisionsMake decisions that have a large impact on other people.
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60%
Contact with the publicWork with customers or the public.
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60%
Letters and memosWrite letters and memos.
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56%
Lead or coordinate a teamLead others to do work activities.
O*NET is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.
The skills and importance ratings on this page are derived from the US Department of Labor O*NET Database Version 21.2, 27-1024.00 - Graphic Designers.
Links and downloads
Research and reports
The Skills Priority List provides a current labour market rating and a future demand rating for nearly 800 occupations nationally. Current labour market ratings are available for occupations at a state and territory level.
Downloads
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Occupation profiles data are available for download.
The Employment Projections are available for download.